Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet

Horticulture and Crop Science

2021 Coffey Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43210-1086

Growing Peppers in the Home Garden

HYG-1618-92

Marianne Riofrio

Many different types of peppers can be grown in Ohio vegetable
gardens. The most popular peppers are the sweet bell and banana
types, and the pungent Hungarian wax types. Peppers are normally
harvested in the immature green stage for use in relishes, salads,
for stuffing, and for flavor in many cooked dishes.

The garden
pepper, often mistakenly called mango, is unrelated to the spice
pepper plant that produces the ground black pepper commonly found on
American tables. The mango is a tropical fruit unrelated to either
type of pepper. Peppers grown in various parts of the world are used
for making such products as paprika, hot sauces, pickles, and stuffed
olives.

Climatic Requirements

As peppers are of tropical origin, plants thrive best when
temperatures are warm. Being sensitive to the cold, planting should
be delayed until the danger of frost is past in the spring. Ideal
temperatures are 70 to 80 degrees F during the day, and 60 to 70 degrees F at night.

Extremely high temperatures (90 degrees F or above) during flowering often
results in blossom drop. Fruit that set when temperatures average
above 80 degrees F may be small and poorly shaped due to heat injury to the
blossoms. Temperatures below 60 degrees F at night will also result in
blossom drop.

A shortage of water at bloom time can also result in
blossom drop or failure to set fruit. Usually, the plants set
satisfactory crops when temperatures are between 65 and 80 degrees F and the
soil is well-supplied with moisture. Avoid a soggy, water-logged soil
condition when growing peppers.

Soil Requirements

Pepper plants grow best in warm, well-drained soils of moderate
fertility and good tilth. The plants are not particularly sensitive
to soil acidity, but best results are obtained in the 6.0 to 6.8 pH
range. Adjust soil fertility as indicated by soil test results.
Arrangements for soil testing can be made through your local
Cooperative Extension office. Fertilizers of a 1-2-2 ratio, such as
5-10-10 or 8-16-16 are often used for growing peppers.

Suggested Varieties

The choice of variety is important and depends on the gardener's
preference. In addition to the standard varieties, many excellent
hybrids are available. Some suggested varieties for Ohio gardens are
as follows:

Establishing the Planting

Peppers are usually grown in Ohio home gardens by using transplants
rather than by direct seeding. If you are buying transplants at a
local garden center, select stocky, sturdy plants that have 3-5 sets
of true leaves. Avoid plants that already have flowers and fruit.

Space plants 18 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart or more,
depending on the type of cultivation used. Water plants thoroughly
after transplanting. Avoid planting under conditions that will stunt
the plants and lead to poor production, such as cold weather, lack of
sufficient soil moisture, or lack of sufficient fertilizer.

Cultural Practices

After the plants are well established, apply a mulch to conserve soil
moisture, prevent soil compaction and help suppress weed growth.

Once
fruits have begun to set, an additional sidedressing of fertilizer
will help promote greater plant productivity. Use a 12-12-12 analysis
fertilizer or other high nitrogen fertilizer at the rate recommended
on the package.

Control weeds by hand-pulling or shallow cultivation
to avoid injury to the plant roots. The incidence of disease can be
reduced by proper spacing and by watering early in the day so leaves
dry quickly or by using soaker hoses.

Aphids should be controlled as
they may carry viral diseases that can affect peppers. European Corn
Borers may make small holes near the stem of the pepper and cause
internal rot of the fruit. Contact your Cooperative Extension office
for the latest control recommendations.

Harvesting and Storage

Bell peppers are usually picked green and immature but when they are
full-sized and firm. However, if they are allowed to ripen on the
plant they will be sweeter and higher in vitamin content. Other
peppers are usually harvested at full maturity.

Care should be taken
when breaking the peppers from the plants, as the branches are often
brittle. Hand clippers or pruners can be used to cut peppers from the
plant to avoid excessive stem breakage. The number of peppers per
plant varies with the variety. Bell pepper plants may produce 6 to 8
or more fruit per plant.

In general, peppers have short storage life
of only one to two weeks. Cool, moist conditions (45 to 50 degrees F) and 85
to 90 percent relative humidity are the ideal storage conditions for
peppers.

The authors gratefully acknowledge J.D. Utzinger and W.M. Brooks for
their 1984 fact sheet on which this is based.

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